Experts Warn that Cybercriminals Release Bogus Emails Purporting to be from Suncorp Bank

Softpedia.com reported on 16th August, 2013 quoting a warning from experts as "Cybercriminals are sending bogus emails purporting to be from an Australian financial entity Suncorp Bank in an attempt to trick customers of the financial institution in handing over sensitive information."

The emails entitled, 'Important message' tell recipients that they should please take in to their notice that their Suncorp Banking Online Services Account is about to expire due to transfiguration of new database in the Bank's system. The email tells the recipients to copy the security link in order to avoid fraudulent activities on their account. The email tells the recipient that if they do not comply with the Bank's demands it will be left with no other option but to suspend the customer's account.

Experts comment that the Suncorp Bank is not linked with this scam. In fact its name is being exploited by cybercriminals in this phishing attack.

Customers who get tricked and click the link as instructed, land on a phishing website, which is designed as a real page of Suncorp. On the fake webpage they are asked to provide the login details of their account to access the site and then they will be asked to give financial and personal details like contact information and credit card numbers.

Criminals will collect all the details and will compromise actual Suncorp accounts to embezzle identities and thereby indulge in credit card fraud.

Scammers, apparently, count on the point that few inexperienced recipients will be convinced by technical terms like "transfiguration" and go ahead without any prior thinking.

Experts also add: Incidents like these emphasize that phishing carries on being the most prevalent type of online scam.

The Bank distancing itself from the scam said that customers should "never" click on suspicious links in emails or provide personal details and should contact the bank immediately if they have any doubts about an email.

Moreover, it is not the first time that Suncorp Bank is being targeted by cybercriminals. In June 2012 also it was discovered that emails supposedly from the bank, entitled "Security Alert" saying Suncorp is introducing a new security server to fight online fraud.

» SPAMfighter News - 8/24/2013